We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sarah Beirne a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sarah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

I think one of the biggest trend in photography right now is Personal Brand Photography. It is growing rapidly, and many photographers are opening their eyes to this type of photography, as it can be a great way to have a consistent revenue stream. I fell into personal brand photography ins 2018, when I saw small businesses start posting on social media platforms. I immediately thought, what a great way to connect with people on a personal level and pull them into being life long followers and consumers! I knew it would only evolve from there. I started researching photographers that did this type of photography and I found only one person in the country doing it, and, teaching about it! So I dove in, took one of her courses, and found myself on a track to creating incredible lifestyle photography for businesses. Since 2018, this type of photography has seen rapid growth from small businesses to even corporate shifting to really reach their audience on a personal level.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Since I can remember I have always held a camera. From film in the 80’s and 90’s, disposable cameras at every wedding I attended, to buying my first digital (5 megapixel’s!) in 2006. I went to college and became an art educator in 2004. I went on to teach art for grades K-8 for 14 years, while also taking on little jobs here and there as a photographer.

I decided to leave teaching after my daughter was born in 2018. I immediately realized I needed something, that being soley at home was not for me. I needed my craft, to be around others. So I opened my LLC in 2018 and off I went, starting to build up my clientele, trying different types of photography.

I suddenly realized a need for businesses to have better photography and more in a way that connected to them to their community and clients. That is when I fell in love with personal brand photography.

I feel like what sets me apart from other photographers in my area, is that I do the work to really get to know my clients and what they are looking for to set themselves apart in the industry. To help them feel comfortable in front of my lens, like I’m not even there. When my clients truly open up, they end up having a fabulous time and we create incredible images that draw their audience in.

Being that I taught many types of art disciplines during my teaching career, I use this as my power tool. I am able to use this with my photography too. Changing the way I use light, the subjects, the composition. In post processing I can customize per client. I market reality, so typically my clients want their images to be realistic to the scene, no funky edits with color or mood, unless it’s a part of the scene while photographing.

The main problems I solve for my clients is creating images that help them connect with their audience, which in turn and ideally creates profit for them. That is the biggest goal.

What I don’t think a lot of entrepreneurs and small business owners realize, is that because of the indisposable content (and fancy cameras on phones) we see out there in the world, it’s easy to forget that these images are meant to make you money- but in a deeper way. The connections that happen through curated photos turn your customers into life long buyers and fans. That is the ultimate goal. They will make you money long after the delivery of images, when implemented. Which makes your ROI (return of investment) in a great photographer more than worth it.

I am most proud to be raising my business while surrounded by my family and children. I hope they can see how being able to work while also being there for them as they grow up is a huge blessing. It’s not always easy- it’s probably the hardest career I’ve ever had. But I’m a life long learner and I love it, so changing with the times and wearing all the hats (like I did while teaching) comes naturally to me.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to pivot big time when I left my teaching career. It was almost like I had an identity crisis. I had three children under 4, and all of a sudden I had to make a choice to either leave the career I worked so hard to build or stay home with my children.

When I decided to stay home, I suffered from postpartum depression and quickly realized I needed an outlet. This is when I knew that photography was going to be the outlet I needed. I decided to make it official with an LLC, and I have built it up year after year. Over a 3 year period of time from late 2019-early 2021, I managed to hit a six figure threshold. Since then I have had highs and lows, bringing me into 2024 where I intend to work toward bigger growth.

You always continue to grow not just professionally but personally as well. Owning a business take endurance. It’s not a sprint. There are so many things to work on and sometimes you just have to slow down and take it step by step, or even step back a little to see the bigger picture so you can see what actions you might have to take next. You have to celebrate the small wins, too.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I think that as a business owner you are consistently having to be resilient. Most of it is mental. You get caught in comparison traps. You feel like everyone around you is trying to do what you are doing, or the other way around- that you have to be doing what everyone else is. It’s a mindset trap. I have sticky notes all over my office that remind me to be resilient. To keep moving forward, to stay focused on what I’m doing, not what everyone else is doing. It truly is a daily practice.

This wasn’t an overnight realization. I have worked with many coaches that have helped me to grow my resilience- with not only mindset but many other things business related. Owning a business is like running back to back marathons. You have to endure and pace yourself- even through the short sprints of the race.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sarahbeirnephotography.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahbeirnephotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahBeirnePhotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-beirne-photography2005/

Image Credits
Sarah Beirne Photography